Dunsandel Childcare & Preschool - Parent Information

Dunsandel Childcare
   & Preschool

 Parent Information

Our Philosophy
We believe in providing quality childcare and educational experiences for rural preschool tamariki
(children), in a safe and homely environment. Every child will be greeted by a friendly face and be
treated with respect; they will be praised and encouraged in all that they do. We aim to empower tamariki
to grow up as confident and competent individuals, being proud of their achievements and developing
their curiosity for life!

In recognising children’s individuality and varying stages of their development, our daily programme aims
to cater for their needs, stages of development and interests. We recognise parents as first teachers
and believe in open ended communication in regards to their child’s needs, interests and aspirations.

Our Centre whānau are welcome to share their own taonga (treasures) and experiences, such as their
interests, occupations, bringing pet lambs to the Centre for children to feed. These precious moments
are a basis of quality learning for children. Through our centre environment children can build on these
experiences, work through new knowledge, test, question and challenge their theories with peers and
adults, establishing links to make sense of their world.

We believe children need the opportunity to play and explore the environment in their own time and in
their own way, including plentiful opportunities to explore the natural environment. We aim to instil in
children a respect for the natural world and knowledge of their place in the wider world. We use
sustainable practices such as recycling, composting and having a worm farm. We grow food in our own
vegetable garden, we encourage empathy and caring through teaching children to look after our centre
pets. Tamariki will have time and space to paint, draw, create, imagine, enjoy books and pictures, sit and
chat with a friend, care for a doll, look for bugs, have a swing / slide, ride a bike, climb a hill, play ‘hide
and seek’ with friends and their kaiako (teachers). The indoors and outdoors flow from one to the other
and like an open plan home, children are consulted and are able to make choices and decisions about
their play and their day.

Within our centre environment, siblings can spend time together irrespective of whether they are four
months or four years of age, but respective of their own desire to be together.

We embrace the principles of the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum (Te Whāriki) -
Empowerment, Family and Community, Holistic Development and Relationships; and the interwoven
essential strands –Well-Being; Belonging; Contribution; Communication and Exploration.

Dunsandel Childcare and Preschool respects the unique position of Māori as Tangata Whenua in
Aotearoa / New Zealand. We honour the dual heritage of Aotearoa in accordance with Te Tiriti o
Waitangi to acknowledge and empower children and their whānau. To support this we use te reo Māori
(language) regularly, respect tikanga Māori (customs and protocols) and provide the children with
experiences      with       natural   resources. We form   receptive   respectful   relationships,   embracing
whanaungatanga with children and their whānau, ensuring we hold high expectations of all. We embrace
Te Reo Māori as a living and relevant language, Te Ao Māori and Tikanga Māori as an integral part of
our daily life at the centre.

General Information
•   Fees are to be paid weekly unless otherwise arranged with the Centre Manager or Accounts
    Administrator. Please read the ‘Fees’ policy. Two weeks notice is requested if your child is
    finishing at our centre.
•   Cancellations, Absences, Sickness & Holidays - In order to cover staffing and ongoing costs,
    absences, sicknesses and all holidays (including public holidays) must be paid for in full. Another
    time may be taken in lieu of a public holiday - please request. (there is no charge, therefore no
    ‘in lieu’ for times/days that are attested to Free ECE).
•   It is important that you are punctual at picking up your child. Having children at times they are
    not enrolled for, affects our adult to child ratio and licensing regulations. A late fee may be
    charged.
•   Excursions - You will be notified well in advance when a planned trip is arranged. We will need
    signed permission if your child is allowed to go.
•   Impromptu Outings - If you approve of your child being involved in impromptu outings, (a walk in
    the local community), you will need to give permission on the enrolment form.
•   Medical Attention - We have qualified first aiders at our centre to deal with minor cuts and
    bruises, etc. If your child is unwell, you will be notified, so if on any day your contact number
    changes, please let us know (write in the comments column on the Attendance Register). In an
    emergency an unwell child will be taken to Leeston Medical Centre for medical attention. All
    reasonable steps will be taken to notify you immediately.
•   The Centre will provide morning and/or afternoon tea for the children over two years of age.
    Water is the refreshment available at all times. Children staying over lunchtime are required to
    bring their own lunch in a named container. Infants - all food and drink to be supplied and named
    by parent / caregiver / whanau.
•   Govt. ECE (20 hours per week) available, for eligible children aged 3 to 5 years.
•   Booking times- 8am, 8.30 or 9am until 12.00 (midday). 12 (Midday) until 3pm. Finish anytime
    from 3pm-5pm
                                            Quality Staff Ratios -
•    Under Two’s     1:4 (5)
•    Over Two’s      1:6 (2:20)
•   We are licensed for - building #5         building #7
    Children under two -       8        -        0
    Children over two    -     13                23

                                    Centre Open -      Monday to Friday

                                    Centre Hours -    8.00am to 5.00pm

                    Closed - public holidays, two weeks over Christmas period.

Our Objectives
•   To develop and maintain a quality ‘Childcare and Preschool’ centre for rural
    community families.
•   To employ and empower a ‘team’ of qualified teachers, and carers, that shall work
    together to provide quality care and education for children who attend our centre.
•   To work alongside parents to ensure the best planning for their child/ren’s needs and
    interests.
•   To ensure that all children that attend our centre have awesome experiences here;
    and that they are enriched, empowered, confident and ready for school !
•   To develop and maintain good working relationships with Dunsandel School, to
    ensure the best possible transition to school (for children and their parents!). We will
    access and have available information about other local schools.
•   To have available useful information for parents, families and personnel eg. adult
    library, health information, noticeboards, etc.
•   To be proactive at keeping up to date with current education trends, health issues
    and any other information relevant, to benefit all that use our service and keep us at
    the forefront of quality.

Policies and Centre Practices are developed and reviewed in compliance with the Early
Childhood Regulations and in view of our philosophy. Policies are available to all parents
for feedback and acknowledgement.

                             Childcare Subsidies
Our Centre is approved for families to apply for childcare subsidies. Phone Work &
Income on 0800-559-009 to

Our Planning
We use information we gather about your child to plan and to provide the support they
need for their learning and development.

Information is gathered through communication with parents, the teaching team, the
children and observations. Individual learning goals will be identified for your child and
used as a basis for planning within our ‘Daily Programmes’.

We empower children by offering a ‘Self Choice Programme’ within a safe and stimulating
environment. Our teaching team shall work alongside children to extend their learning.
We also have structured group times where children work in small groups with our
teaching team.

Our aim is to cater for smaller groups of children by utilising two buildings, thus ensuring
our mission of providing a homely environment along with maintaining high quality care
and educational environment. We believe in creating a family environment, where
siblings can be together. The layout of the two buildings and their respective outside
areas have been designed to enable siblings time to be together. Our Team have the
skills and experience necessary to manage and support these environments safely and
effectively.

We also believe that due to the fact that children progress at varying stages in their
physical, intellectual, emotional, language and social development, having times together
as a mixed session provides experiences for a more flexible developmental span in
children.

Children are able to participate at their level, having the opportunity to experience self
choice activities as well coming together in groups to participate and contribute to planned
group activities.

                         Please read our ‘Philosophy Statement’

Settling In
We welcome and encourage parents to stay on session, particularly for their child’s first
few days prior to leaving them. We will discuss your child’s settling in needs with you.
Parents may also find this ‘settling in’ time useful to get to know the team and to
experience the routines of our centre. Attending an early childhood service for the first
time is a big step for both parties. You may feel apprehensive or unsure of the best way to
get started. Rest assured, this is perfectly normal and we’re here to help you through the
process. Settling time ensures you visit before your child’s first day with us. Please use
this time to get to know us and to share all the unique things that will help us meet the
needs of your child. During your visits talk with teachers and other children. Let your child
see you relaxed and enjoying the new environment. Settling in will help to make you both
feel more ready for the new routine when its time for your child to stay on their own .

Your child may be upset when saying goodbye in the early days of their attendance. Each
child is different and will settle in their own time as they become familiar with their new
surroundings. Our teachers are very understanding of your child’s anxiety and they are
there to support and comfort your child as they get to know us better.

On arrival each day, please sign the ‘Attendance Register’ located at the entrance to our
centre. This is a Ministry of Education requirement and will also be used in the case of an
emergency evacuation. Record any special daily messages to the team in the comments
column, ie. a change in who is picking your child up, different contact number, etc. It is
preferred that you speak with the team directly with regard to any specific needs or con-
cerns of/for your child, ie. extra rest or sleep needs, diet needs, significant event in child’s
life, etc.

Please help your child (as appropriate), to put away their bag in the cubby holes provided.

Place your child’s lunchbox and drink on reception bench adjoining the kitchen. Our
Team will check for contents that need to go into the fridge and store your child’s
lunchbox until required.

Please supply a spare set of clothes and remember to name all clothing. In summer, a
sun hat, in the winter a pair of gumboots, hat and jacket. Please return any of our
Centre’s clothing as soon as possible that your child may have gone home in. Please
read our ‘Sun Safety’ policy.

Meals - Children will need to bring their own lunch and drink bottle (optional) both
clearly named. We shall provide morning and afternoon tea, water will be the
refreshment available at all times and is offered at lunch time to children who do not
bring a drink bottle. Our centre encourages healthy eating.
Medication - Please hand any medication for your child to a team member on arrival.
You will need to complete and sign the ‘Medicines Register’ giving your consent for
our team to administer the medicine.
Our Team will not:-
     * administer medicines that are expired,
     * administer medicines prescribed to another child,
     * exceed the recommended dosage.
Sleeping & Rest Times - We will strive to ensure that babies individual sleeping
patterns are retained to that at home. They sleep in cots with their own individualised
bedding. Older children requiring rest or sleep can do so after lunch, however,
children are able to sleep at any time of the day. - see our ‘Sleeping Arrangements for
Children’ policy.
What to Bring - Please bring a bag which is clearly labeled with your child’s name.
Send your child in comfortable, easy to wash clothes that will not suffer from messy
play (eg. paints, clay, sand).
Infants - If your child is in nappies, please provide enough for each day.
Baby Feeding - Parents will need to provide their baby’s daily food and bottles in
clearly named containers/bottles.
When not to attend - Children, teaching team and other adults may not attend our
Centre if they have any of the following symptoms:
     * constant or coloured discharge from eyes, nose or ears
     * fever, rash, persistent cough or strep throat
     * vomiting or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours
     * infectious diseases as outlined by Crown Health guidelines

 Please Note: We are unable to give any medicines to children without written
                              parental consent.

                   (see our Sickness Policy for further information).

Our Daily Programmes
These programmes are developed around the following timetable and provide flexibility to
ensure children’s individual needs and interests are catered for.
               Infants & Toddlers Area at #5 Dunsandel Hororata Road

8.00am             Centre opens. Settling in for all tamariki aged 8 weeks school age

                   entry arriving early, selection of inside activities.

8.45               Young children (aged 3 to 5 years) go next door to #7 (see Young
                   Children’s Daily Programme.)

9.00               Children arriving and settling in, selection of inside activities,
                   collage/art, outside (weather permitting) -

9.30 - 10          Morning kai

10- 10.30          Nappy changing / toileting. Kaiako led ‘Group times’

10 - 11.30         Inside/Outside play

11.15 - 12         Infants (Under 2’s) lunch (provided by parents)

11.30 - 12pm       Toddlers lunch (provided by parents)

12.00              Sleeping, resting. quiet time, stories, etc. Arrivals and departures of

                   children’s families.
12.30              Choice of activity with teacher’s support and extension.

2.15 - 2.45        Afternoon tea

2.45 - 3.30        Nappy changing / toileting

3.00               Departures, remaining young children and teachers arrive back
                   from next door, #7.

3.15               Choice of activity with teacher’s support and extension (inside and
                   outside)

4 - 4.30           Late afternoon tea time for children remaining.

4.45               Quiet activities – ie. puzzles, stories, board games

5.00               Centre closes

Our Daily Programmes continued
These programmes are developed around the following timetable and provide
flexibility to ensure children’s individual needs and interests are catered for.
               Young Children’s Area at #7 Dunsandel Hororata Road

8:00             Children arrive in Kea classroom

8:50             Pukeko children come to our classroom

9:00             Children encouraged to hang bags up, sort lunch boxes into
                 fridge container

9-9:40           Free play

9:40-10:00       Tamariki sharing time & Karakia

10-10:20         Morning kai

10:20 -11:30     Free play

11:30 - 12pm     Interactive mat time

12-12.40         Kai (lunch)

12.40-2.15       Free play

2.15-2.30        Tidy up inside and outside

2.30-2.45        Interactive mat time

2:45-3.00        Afternoon kai/ home time

3.00-3:15        Pukeko building closed - join kea classroom

3:15-5:00        Free play with a late kai around 4pm

5:00             Centre closed

Primary caregiver
We believe that caring and responsive relationships between teachers and children are
the foundations of your child’s happiness, well-being and learning whilst at      Preschool.
Your child will be supported and welcomed by all teachers and will also have an extra
special ‘primary caregiver teacher’. The primary caregiver is responsible for your child’s
profile book and individual needs. As this teacher works with your child they will develop
an extra special relationship of care, fun and responsiveness to your child’s personal
needs. The primary caregiver is also the person of first contact when discussing the needs
of your child.

                              Parent involvement
You are an important part of our family and have much to contribute. You are
welcome at the centre at any time to share your ideas, discuss your child’s
development or to just spend time with your child. A regular newsletter will keep you in
touch with the happenings of the Centre. We have a folder explaining our Policies and
Procedures that is available for you to read at any time.

                                   Profile books
Every child at Dunsandel Childcare and Preschool has a profile book that will provide a
beautiful and detailed record of their time at Preschool. Your child’s learning, discoveries,
artwork, photo’s and milestone memorable moments will be documented. The profile book
is yours to keep and will provide your family with lovely memories to recount in the years
to come. We are sure you will get lots of enjoyment from them.

Dunsandel Childcare & Preschool Limited

     5 - 7 Dunsandel Hororata Road,
        P O Box 114, Dunsandel
              Canterbury
               Contact:-
    Centre Manager: Lisa Taiaroa

  Administration & Accounts: Lucy Tyler

 Company Directors: Sue & Mike McLean

         Phone:- (03) 3254-543
Email:- admin@bluegoosepreschool.co.nz
                   Or
     lisa@bluegoosepreschool.co.nz